Great Harvest Bread Co. -- March 24 & April 14

Twenty OLLI members were treated to a tasty tour of Great Harvest Bread Company on Tuesday, March 24.

Sam Polito, who co-owns the Peoria franchise with his wife Stephanie, gave members an in-depth look at the bakery's history, its products, ingredients, and baking process.

The first Great Harvest Bread Co. opened in Great Falls, Montana in 1976, and has grown to more than 220 locally owned and operated bakeries across the United States. The Politos opened the franchise after Sam fought a successful battle with cancer, as they wanted to spend more time together and lead a healthier lifestyle. Sam is now cancer-free and joked that his clean bill of health was the result of the bakery's bread and cookies.

Upon hearing Sam's joke, OLLI member Fred Dickenson quipped, "Now he's making a little bit of dough ... somebody had to say it!"

The bakery uses premium whole wheat purchased from small family farms in Montana. Every day at 4 a.m., employees mill the wheat to ensure freshness and flavor, then begin the five-hour process of kneading and baking. Fresh-baked bread is available for purchase around 10 a.m. daily.

Sam said he and his 24 employees attempt to bake just enough bread to sell within 24 hours. He does not wholesale the products to supermarkets, and any bread left unsold after one day is donated to area food banks and shelters.

OLLI thanks Sam, Stephanie, and Rebecca for a great afternoon in a delicious environment! We appreciate the time you spent answering our questions, and we'll definitely be back to use the coupons you generously provided.

For more information about Great Harvest Bread Co., you can visit the store at 9010 N. Allen Road, or log onto www.greatharvestpeoria.com.